TURPIN, Okla., - A fast start by the Elkhart Wildcats put the Turpin Cardinals in the chase position the rest of the game. Elkhart’s size and speed would not allow to Cards a comeback and the Wildcats won, 54-33.

“We have got to be ready to go when we step out on the floor,” Cardinals coach Gary Wallace said. “I think we played a little scared coming out.”

Elkhart started the game with a 6-0 advantage, and led 16-3 at the end of the first quarter. Turpin struggled to adjust to Elkhart’s superior height inside. Turpin drove too deep in the lane, and Elkhart’s 6-7 and 6-5 front line blocked multiple shots.

“We have to adjust quicker; we had a half-dozen shots blocked before we figured out there is nothing wrong with shooting a five-foot jump shot,” Wallace said.

Turpin finally got a little offense going, scoring the first six points of the second quarter to cut the lead back to single digits.

Elkhart led 23-13 at the half.

For the first three minutes of the third, the two teams traded baskets, and Elkhart led 32-21. The Wildcats then went on an 8-0 run to go up 40-21.

The two teams played mostly subs in the fourth, as Elkhart went on to win by 21.

“Our kids played hard,” Wallace said. “They had us out-sized and out-quicked at about every position. Our guys aren’t losing their fight. They’re going to try to represent the name on their shirt.”

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